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President Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1936 Cruise to Latin America on USS Indianapolis (CA-35): A Scrapbook, Special Collections, Navy Department Library.

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  • Presidents
  • Exhibits
  • People-Places-Things--Spanish
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  • Ship History
Wars & Conflicts
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President Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1936 Cruise to Latin America on USS Indianapolis (CA-35): A Scrapbook

Introduction

Arrival of the
President

Crossing the Line

Arrival in Rio de Janeiro

Arrival in Buenos Aires

Arrival in Montevideo, Uruguay

Arrival in Port of Spain, Trinidad

Miscellaneous Pages

Introduction:

Scrapbook of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's cruise aboard the USS Indianapolis (CA-35), departing Charleston, South Carolina, on 18 November 1936 for a "Good-Neighbor" visit to South America. The scrapbook was created by Rear Admiral Paul H. Bastedo who was the president's Naval Aide. After carrying President Roosevelt to Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Montevideo for state visits, USS Indianapolis returned to Charleston on 15 December where the presidential party left the ship. Also on board during the voyage was the President's son, US Marine Lieutenant Colonel James Roosevelt. A notable highlight of the voyage was the Crossing of the Line (Equator) ceremony during which President Roosevelt received a subpoena to appear before King Neptune's Royal High Court of the Raging Main.

(Left) USS Phelps, (Right) USS Mahan
(Left) USS Phelps, (Right) USS Mahan
Captain H.K. Hewitt. U.S. Navy
Captain H.K. Hewitt. U.S. Navy
(Left) Warrant Officers, (Right) Commissioned Officers
(Left) Warrant Officers, (Right) Commissioned Officers

The President arrives at Charleston, S.G.
The President arrives at Charleston, S.G.
(Left) Guard and Band render honors, (Right) The Crew man the rail
(Left) Guard and Band render honors, (Right) The Crew man the rail
(Left) The President's flag, (Right) Bow of Barge
(Left) The President's flag, (Right) Bow of Barge
The President's staff
The President's staff
(Left) Military Aides, (Right) Marine Orderlies
(Left) Military Aides, (Right) Marine Orderlies
Desk in President's quarters
Desk in President's quarters
(Left) Living quarters of President, (Right) Ship's Orchestra
(Left) Living quarters of President, (Right) Ship's Orchestra
(Left) Homa and his "squeeze box" (Right) Ezell, BM 1/c, who "piped the President aboard"
(Left) Homa and his "squeeze box" (Right) Ezell, BM 1/c, who "piped the President aboard"
(Left) "INDY" "Bone Crushers" (Right) The "leather pushers"
(Left) "INDY" "Bone Crushers" (Right) The "leather pushers"

Crossing the Line

(Left) Capt. Bastedo advices and assists Col. Watson, (Right) "Polliwog" James watches for arrival of Davy Jones
(Left) Capt. Bastedo advises and assists Col. Watson, (Right) "Polliwog" James watches for arrival of Davy Jones
"The ARMY BUILDS MEN" when "They join the Navy and see the World"
"The ARMY BUILDS MEN" when "They join the Navy and see the World"
(Right) James Roosevelt keeps a sharp lookout for Davy Jones
(Right) James Roosevelt keeps a sharp lookout for Davy Jones
Davy Jones reads the message from King Neptune to Capt. Hewitt. Comdr. O.C. Badger on right.
Davy Jones reads the message from King Neptune to Capt. Hewitt. Comdr. O.C. Badger on right.
Punishing a "Polliwog"
Punishing a "Polliwog"
(Left) Music hoth charms. A novice wins his way with melody, (Right) The lat Mr. G. Genneruich enthralled by Mr. Roosevelt's Song of the Sea
(Left) Music hoth charms. A novice wins his way with melody, (Right) The lat Mr. G. Genneruich enthralled by Mr. Roosevelt's Song of the Sea
(Left) A radioman angles for kilocycles in the DOMAIN of NEPTUNUS REX, (Right) Bread and water and the brig await the Singer of Songs
(Left) A radioman angles for kilocycles in the DOMAIN of NEPTUNUS REX, (Right) Bread and water and the brig await the Singer of Songs
(Left) Captain Hewitt turns his command, (Right) ...over to King Neptune
(Left) Captain Hewitt turns his command, (Right) ...over to King Neptune
The Royal Court of Neptune
The Royal Court of Neptune
(Left) Chief Pharmacist Geo. Fox in the hands of the Royal Police, (Right) "Framing" Secreet Service Man Mr. R. Wood
(Left) Chief Pharmacist Geo. Fox in the hands of the Royal Police, (Right) "Framing" Secreet Service Man Mr. R. Wood
The President pleads his case before the Royal Court
The President pleads his case before the Royal Court
(Left) His "Defense Attorney" listens intently, (Right) James Roosevelt hears the sentence of the Royal Judge
(Left) His "Defense Attorney" listens intently, (Right) James Roosevelt hears the sentence of the Royal Judge
(Left) Royal Scribe, (Right) Royal Police
(Left) Royal Scribe, (Right) Royal Police
(Left) Mr. Russel Wood rides his firey steed, (Right) Lieut. C.E. Harrison U.S. Navy
(Left) Mr. Russel Wood rides his firey steed, (Right) Lieut. C.E. Harrison U.S. Navy
(Left) The Royal Police, (Right) ...go to work
(Left) The Royal Police, (Right) ...go to work
The Royal Barbers
The Royal Barbers
(Left) A polliwog runs the gauntlet, (Right) The Royal Doctors operate
(Left) A polliwog runs the gauntlet, (Right) The Royal Doctors operate

Rio

The Youth of Rio await our arrival at Brazil
The Youth of Rio await our arrival at Brazil
(Left) Rio de Janeiro, (Right)...Welcomes President Roosevelt
(Left) Rio de Janeiro, (Right)...Welcomes President Roosevelt
Brazil's Presidential Band
Brazil's Presidential Band
(Left) The "Almirante Brown" Argentine Cruiser passes in review, (Right)...as the "INDY'S" Guard and Band render honors
(Left) The "Almirante Brown" Argentine Cruiser passes in review, (Right)...as the "INDY'S" Guard and Band render honors
President Roosevelt recived the salute of the Argentine Navy
President Roosevelt recived the salute of the Argentine Navy
(Left) With rails manned by cheering crews, (Right) Argentine destroyers pass before the President
(Left) With rails manned by cheering crews, (Right) Argentine destroyers pass before the President
(Left) Argentine's parade of Sea Power passes, (Right) ...with saluting salvos
(Left) Argentine's parade of Sea Power passes, (Right) ...with saluting salvos
(Left) "La Golondrina" Argentine Minesweeper, (Right) Lifebuoy watch ~ U.S.S. Chester in the distance.
(Left) "La Golondrina" Argentine Minesweeper, (Right) Lifebuoy watch ~ U.S.S. Chester in the distance.
(Left) "La Golondrina" brings the American Consul to the "INDY" (Right) A fleet of small pleasure craft extends a Welcome
(Left) "La Golondrina" brings the American Consul to the "INDY" (Right) A fleet of small pleasure craft extends a Welcome

Buenos

(Left) The harbor of (Right) ...Buenos Aires
(Left) The harbor of (Right) ...Buenos Aires
(Left) Buenos Aires from (Right) ...the bridge of the "INDY"
(Left) Buenos Aires from (Right) ...the bridge of the "INDY"
Entering the basin of the Dorsena Norte, Buenos Aires
Entering the basin of the Dorsena Norte, Buenos Aires
(Left) The arrival at (Right) ...Buenos Aires
(Left) The arrival at (Right) ...Buenos Aires
Cheering crowds await the President's arrival
Cheering crowds await the President's arrival
En route to the Embassy "Buenvernida, El Señor Presidente"!
En route to the Embassy "Buenvernida, El Señor Presidente"!
(Left) Hats, hands, and hearts pay tribute, (Right) Leaving the Embassy
(Left) Hats, hands, and hearts pay tribute, (Right) Leaving the Embassy
(Left) Presidential pasty. The gift of a baker, (Right) A barbecue for the "INDY'S" Chief Petty Officer
(Left) Presidential pasty. The gift of a baker, (Right) A barbecue for the "INDY'S" Chief Petty Officer
(Left) The Indianapolis (Right) ...leaving Buenos Aires
(Left) The Indianapolis (Right) ...leaving Buenos Aires

Montevideo

(Left) With President Terra of Uruguay (Right) Montevideo ~ Excited crowds break through the police lines
(Left) With President Terra of Uruguay (Right) Montevideo ~ Excited crowds break through the police lines
(Left) Troops of Lancers (Right) ...comprise the escort
(Left) Troops of Lancers (Right) ...comprise the escort
(Left) The Central Plaza Montevideo (Right) Acknowledging cheers
(Left) The Central Plaza Montevideo (Right) Acknowledging cheers
Proud escorts flank the Presidents
Proud escorts flank the Presidents
The "INDY" prepares to leave Montevideo
The "INDY" prepares to leave Montevideo
(Left) A multitude bids (Right) ...farwell
(Left) A multitude bids (Right) ...farwell
(Left) The horde expands the cheers increase as ... (Right) .. friendly eyes seek one last glimpse "the Good Neighbor"
(Left) The horde expands the cheers increase as ... (Right) .. friendly eyes seek one last glimpse "the Good Neighbor"
(Left) "Auld lang syne" and (Right) Montevideo, Farwell!
(Left) "Auld lang syne" and (Right) Montevideo, Farwell!
Port of Spain. The President leaves for the "Tobaga"
Port of Spain. The President leaves for the "Tobaga"
(Left) Press Conference (Right) ...aboard the "Tobaga"
(Left) Press Conference (Right) ...aboard the "Tobaga"
The President and the Press
The President and the Press
(Left) Capt. Bastedo and James Roosevelt return the salute of a passing ship (Right) French cruiser "Jeanne D'Arc"
(Left) Capt. Bastedo and James Roosevelt return the salute of a passing ship (Right) French cruiser "Jeanne D'Arc"

Trinidad

Port of Spain, Trinidad
Port of Spain, Trinidad
(Left) Port of Spain (Right) Governor General Murchison and aides await the President's arrival
(Left) Port of Spain (Right) Governor General Murchison and aides await the President's arrival
Warmly welcomed by the Mayor
Warmly welcomed by the Mayor
(Left) Reviewing the (Right) ...Constabulary
(Left) Reviewing the (Right) ...Constabulary
(Left) Arriving at the (Right) ...Government House
(Left) Arriving at the (Right) ...Government House
(Left) Returning with the Harbor Master aboard the "Tobaga" (Right) Aves Island ~ The largest catch
(Left) Returning with the Harbor Master aboard the "Tobaga" (Right) Aves Island ~ The largest catch
Fisherman's luck
Fisherman's luck
"Goodbye and good luck".
"Goodbye and good luck".

The End of the Cruise
(Below are three miscellaneous pages showing midshipman activities)

Sunday dress parade before chapel service.
Sunday dress parade before chapel service.
SCENES FROM A MIDSHIPMAN'S LIFE...Scene in a midshipman's room in the "new quarters during the later 1800's. It appears a bit of hazing is going on.
SCENES FROM A MIDSHIPMAN'S LIFE...Scene in a midshipman's room in the "new quarters during the later 1800's. It appears a bit of hazing is going on.
Gunnery drill aboard practice ship USS Santee
Gunnery drill aboard practice ship USS Santee

[END]

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Published: Mon Jan 28 15:41:17 EST 2019